Head of toy company reportedly kills self

BEIJING — The head of a Chinese toy-manufacturing company at the center of a huge U.S. recall has committed suicide, a state-run newspaper said today.

Zhang Shuhong, who ran Lee Der Industrial, killed himself at a warehouse over the weekend, days after China announced it had temporarily banned exports by the company, the Southern Metropolis Daily said.

Lee Der made 967,000 toys recalled earlier this month by Mattel because they were made with paint found to have excessive amounts of lead. The plastic preschool toys, sold under the Fisher-Price brand in the United State, included the popular Big Bird, Elmo, Dora and Diego characters.

The newspaper said a supplier, Zhang's best friend, sold Lee Der fake paint that was used in the toys.

"The boss and the company were harmed by the paint supplier, the closest friend of our boss," a manager surnamed Liu was quoted as saying.

Liu said Zhang hung himself Saturday, according to the report. It is common for disgraced officials to commit suicide in China.

The recall by El Segundo, Calif.-based Mattel came just two months after RC2, a New York company, recalled 1.5 million Chinese-made wooden railroad toys and set parts from its Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway product line because of lead paint.

The maker, Hansheng Wood Products Factory, also was included in the export ban announced Thursday by the General Administration for Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, one of China's quality watchdogs.

The administration also ordered both companies to evaluate and change their business practices.

Lead poisoning can cause vomiting, anemia and learning difficulties. In extreme cases, it can cause severe neurological damage and death.

Chinese companies often have long supply chains, making it difficult to trace the exact origin of components, chemicals and food additives.